Present progressive tense – 7 of the best grammar worksheets and resources for KS1 and KS2
Working on the present progressive? Or are you calling it the present continuous tense? Either way your kids are yearning to understand it fully, and these ideas, activities and more for primary grammar will help…
- by Teachwire
What is present progressive tense?
In the present tense there is the simple present tense and the present progressive tense.
Obviously, the present tense is about things that are happening now, but the simple present tense can also show things that usually happen or are generally true, such as ‘he works’, ‘she writes’, ‘the sun rises’.
The present progressive tense, however, is mostly about things that are still going on now, so these examples would become ‘he is working’, ‘she is writing’, ‘the sun is rising’.
They don’t always need to be happening right that second, however, as you will see in some of these examples.
Present progressive tense examples
- I’m looking at it right now.
- That boy’s constantly complaining about homework.
- We’re waiting for the bus.
- Jade’s going there tonight.
- The kids are playing basketball.
1 | Y1/2 verb tenses SATs worksheets
For a good overview of tenses in KS1, this SATs Grammar Recap packs are the perfect way to check children’s knowledge and understanding of the programme of study for English in Years 1 and 2.
Each pack focuses on key topics, and includes a concise recap of teaching points, followed by a chance for children to show their understanding, and finally, a selection of questions in the range of formats pupils might expect to see in their SATs assessment.
A PowerPoint version of the pack is included, so it can be worked through in groups, or as a whole class.
2 | Year 2 present progressive tense worksheets
After that, these grammar worksheets will give Y2 pupils a good grounding in the present progressive tense.
Activities include SATs-style questions and opportunities for creative writing responses, with eye-catching images as prompts, such as rewriting words by adding the suffix -ing so that they are in the present progressive tense, and writing a sentence for present progressive verbs to show that the action is happening now.
3 | Present continuous tense explained slideshow
Looking for something simple to share with your class to go through explanations and examples? Try this presentation from Bernadetta Utzig.
Find and download this slideshow here.
4 | Y2 tenses make-a-match game
This ‘Make a Match’ game is a fun way for pupils in Y2 to match verbs which are in the past, present and progressive tense.
The game can be played as a class or in small groups and is perfect for adult led interventions to revisit key knowledge and skills, and the pack includes 44 Make a Match word cards and four Make a Match heading cards.
5 | Present continuous tense quiz
This quiz asks 10 multiple choice questions using sentences in the present continuous tense where the verb is missing.
Children need to use the image provided to answer correctly.
6 | Y2 past, present or progressive tense bingo
This KS1 grammar bingo game is a fun way to support pupils in Y2 to identify different verb forms including the past, present and progressive tense.
The game can be played as a class or in small groups and is perfect for adult-led interventions to revisit key knowledge and skills.
The pack includes, bingo caller cards, 10 bingo cards and teacher’s notes.
7 | Present simple or present continuous exercise
Great for homework or in-class practice, this worksheet teaches students to choose between using present simple or present continuous verbs.
An answer key is provided.
